Cambodia Busts 200 Scam Centers Involved in Gambling, and More
Summary
Cambodian authorities have raided roughly 190 scam facilities tied to gambling-related fraud, money laundering, extortion and romance scams. Reuters footage showed large, corporate-style operations in Sihanoukville with thousands of foreign workers and modern equipment. The recent crackdown follows increased international pressure — including a US indictment and China’s extradition of a major suspect — and culminated in the arrest of kingpin Kuong Li in mid-January. Police say between 6,000 and 7,000 workers fled during the raids, limiting the number of detentions.
Key Points
- About 190 locations were raided in a recent Cambodian sweep targeting scam centres.
- An estimated 6,000–7,000 workers fled the sites as police moved in, overwhelming local forces.
- Facilities were linked to money laundering, extortion, romance scams and illegal gambling.
- International action — a US indictment and China’s extradition of a major figure — helped spur tougher enforcement.
- Authorities have arrested 173 senior suspects since the crackdown began and deported around 11,000 workers; high-profile extraditions include Chen Zhi to China.
Why should I read this?
Short and blunt: if you track gambling, cybercrime or regional enforcement, this matters. It’s a major clean-up that shows how international pressure can dismantle vast scam networks — and why policing resources can be outmatched by organised operations. Read it to get the headline facts fast; this story has ripple effects for operators, regulators and victims.
Context and Relevance
The raids illustrate a broader trend of cross-border cooperation against online fraud and illegal gambling hubs in Southeast Asia. For the industry, expect tighter scrutiny of operators and increased calls for regulation and oversight. For policymakers and law enforcement, the episode highlights challenges in dealing with large-scale, foreign-staffed scam factories and the need for coordinated international responses. For victims, it underscores ongoing risks from romance and extortion scams run from these centres.